Don't forget the-
Huh?
Nicholas blinked, reading the note, and then stared and read it again. Open this when you are alone. Well, there was absolutely nothing terrifying about that, then. No evil plagues or prank confetti exploding from the lid the moment he dared to lift it. That would be a cruel prank, but no one he knew would do that to him. Not, at least, anyone he was aware of.
To the boy from the hospital.
So, it had to be someone who knew he'd rushed in to save his parents. Someone who had been there at the time of the explosion. That narrowed his small list down to almost zero and left him with one very possible-yet, entirely crazy-possibility.
It had to be from the mystery hero.
But that only brought up two more questions: how had the dragon-man found out where he lived and what was in the box? Along with the more obvious; were the contents of the hexagon even safe? He knew nothing about the mystery man; who he was, where he'd come from. This was certainly not someone who had ever been on the news or Nicholas was sure he would have heard of him.
So, who was he? And why would he leave something for a kid he didn't even know?
And what was all this nonsense about a pendant?
Ain't no way was he going to wear a necklace! Absolutely not! Not happening!
Already he could hear the anxious footsteps mulling just below, hesitating, unsure whether to make an approach or a tactical retreat. He took a deep breath, settling his nerves as he fingered the miniature box. It was now or never. Sink or swim, or something like that.
Okay, maybe he was overdoing it a little. Besides, what harm could come of just opening it? Really?
If it was something horribly terrible, he could quickly slam the lid closed again and chuck it out the nearest window to get smashed under a car or something. No harm, no foul, right? Problem accounted for and handled?
Okay. He sucked in a long breath, fingers delicately brushing the lid of the box as he felt along the crease for a latch. It's just a box. An old box. It's not a nuclear missile. It's just a hollow box and that's all. What are you expecting; a grenade?
He was just being plain ridiculous now.
A creak from the hall.
And he was running out of time.
Here goes nothing then.
Summoning his courage and simultaneously questioning his sanity, he carefully took the lid and pried it open. He gritted his teeth as some of the splinters caught and required a little more force to pull free. He took great care to preserve the carvings on the outer layer. He didn't recognize them, however, leading him to the conclusion that they were not French. They looked extremely fantastical-unreal even.
Inside, the shadow of the box fell away to reveal...
...a silver-stranded necklace with a squarish golden pendant.
Great.
He recognized some kind of marking on the jewel itself, but he had only a split second to register what he was seeing as his vision was suddenly enveloped in golden-silver light and something encased in lightning swelled from behind (inside?) the necklace.
It started to rise from the black cushioning and Nicholas reacted accordingly-yelping and slamming the lid back over the necklace and throwing the box as hard as he could toward the opposite end of the room.
It hit the wall with a resounding thunk and dropped to the floor lifelessly (as a perfectly ordinary box was supposed to, thank you very much).
Nicholas stood there for a moment, glancing warily toward where the box had fallen (just be sure it wasn't going to sprout legs somehow and attack him like a Gremlin) and hesitantly taking a step toward it when he realized that nothing was going to happen.
And then another.
Suspicious of the sudden lack of motion, Nicholas crept closer, taking a seat on the edge of Nino's comforter and reaching down to snatch the box up from behind the dresser. It felt warm to the touch now, but still not dangerous. He paused for a moment to listen to the contented voices echoing from below.
No one had heard his startled exclamation.
Everything was still.
Open this when you are alone.
Okay then, round two. And this time, he was prepared as he carefully slid back the lid and the glowing orb of light exploded from the box, spiraling upwards and around his head. Nicholas winced, shielding his eyes with a hand until the glow faded and he was able to once again see his room-
-and the small, feathery being floating before his face.
Nicholas stared and two dark brown eyes peered right back at him.
And then the thing chirped.
Nicholas screamed, tumbling backward in his haste to get away, falling over the end of Nino's bed and ending up upside down in a tangle of blankets and clothes. Pain shot through his wrist as he landed against the hardwood floor and he flinched, already scrambling backward across the floor as the small being shot up over the bed to stare at him worriedly.
"AH! No! Stay away!" Nicholas cried, trying and failing to stand up, struggling a lot like a fish on land. "Get away from me, you hovering...bird...thing!"
A click of a beak and the creature paused a safe distance away, tossing its head as it gazed down at the boy sprawled helplessly before it with his mouth dropped in a silent secondary scream.
Whoa!
A tingle shot through Nicholas's brain and he started, reacting by throwing a hand up to his head, gasping as something rocketed through his spine and danced through every nerve in his body.
Take it easy! I'm not here to hurt you!
Nicholas wanted to shout-or throw something-but his body felt like ice. It felt like every muscle in his body had quit functioning upon the bird's first-telepaths? Was that what they were? Was it speaking straight into his brain? It had to be. No words had come out of its mouth.
No words should have. It was a bird.
"Y-you're...you're..." he choked out, pointing to the creature but unable to find the words to express how he was feeling; somewhere between jubilation and petrifying fear.
Please! Calm down!
The telepath again! Nicholas squeaked as the chills filled him, but he made no move to select a more dignifying position, electing to stay exactly where he was already, sprawled out confusedly before the being.
A chirp.
Much better! So glad you aren't screaming! The bird came closer. Let's try that again, yes?
"Wha-what are you?" Nicholas squeaked. "H-how did you get in here?"
A pleased ruffle of feathers was his reply. Ah! Excellent question! A wise question! Straight and to the point! I like that! Allow me to introduce myself! I am Lorr, Kwami of Wisdom. At your service, My Master. It--he, for the voice coming from the bird was definitely male-spread two large tan wings and dipped into a graceful bow. A voice coming from a floating animal that really shouldn't have been able to speak in the first place.
Nicholas didn't know what to say. On one hand, there was a hovering, golden little bird just hanging out in his room. And he seemed harmless enough, but on the other, the harmless golden little bird had just spoken to him! In perfect Arabic!
A bird!
Birds did not talk!
Not at all!
The thing-Lorr?- cocked his head, looking thoughtfully at the teen and the alarm clock Nicholas had been fully prepared to toss as hard as he could. It was a look Nicholas understood as plain as day. Really? You're going to clock me over the head with a clock? How poetic.
The kawamy-of-the-what-who-now? Nicholas gulped, tentatively setting the device back onto the stand where it belonged. "What's...what's a kawamy?"
Kwami, came the immediate correcting tone. I am a kwami. Magical being extraordinaire at your command, my king.
"Huh?"
The creature sighed, shaking his head tiredly. Basically, I'm the genie in the lamp, as I believe you humans enjoy complicating what is already simple. There was disapproval in the bird's eyes, but Nicholas was unsure if that emotion was directed toward him or just the human race in general.
"Well...thank you...I think," Struggling to find words, Nicholas slowly began to pull himself into a more graceful position, "but I don't really feel like being Aladdin today, so...could you...I don't know? Fly back into the box where you came from so I can give you back to someone who can actually help you? Because that's not me, man."
Help me? Lorr tossed his head and extended his tail with a long heave. No, Nicholas! I'm here to help you!
Nicholas blanched. "You...know my name? Hold up, how do you know my name?"
The kwami chortled happily. I know everything about you, Nicholas Lahiffe! I am the kwami of wisdom! It is my job to know everything about my chosen!
"Hang on, slow down! Your chosen? What...what does that mean?"
You ask a lot of questions, kid, you know that?
"You said you were the kwawhatsis of wisdom, didn't you? Well, wisdom me then!"
The bird chirped in affirmation as though pleased with his choice. Very well. I shall explain. Perhaps you would prefer to take a seat? Your current predicament looks less than accommodating.
"Okay...?" Nicholas carefully heaved himself back into the end of Nino's bed, wincing only slightly as Lorr hovered closer, dark eyes boring into his, glistening with curiosity.
Allow me to introduce myself again. My name is Lorr. I am the kwami assigned for you. I appeared the moment you opened the box and touched my miraculous.
"Your...miraculous?"
The pendant! The kwami swung back around, momentarily darting behind Nicholas's line of sight only to reemerge a second later, clinging to the small box with his little talons. It was nearly the size of him, however, and he barely cleared the top of the mattress before flopping down breathlessly before the boy. It is what gives a human all of their power! You see? The moment you opened the box, you and I were connected! It's fate!
"What...kind of power?"
Oh, this is the best part! Lorr laughed. My gifts are those of wisdom, cunning, and stealth! However, since I have no...definite form...my abilities tend to shift from holder to holder! What you receive is entirely based upon what you feel you need! For example; one of my holders was a knight for the round table and he could draw a sword from thin air and produce these incredible bursts of power from his staff! And another could swing a lasso like no one else! His strength lied in his courage, however. I sense yours too is unique! You have passion and daring. You just need to learn to harness it!
"So..." Nicholas blinked, trying to process. "You're saying...that this pendant, this miraculous...would give the power to be...what? A superhero?" He thought of the man at the hospital. Had he had something like Lorr? A...kwami?
Exactly! Now you're getting it!
"So, say I...wanted a sword. Could I...get a sword?"
A boring example in my opinion, but accurate nevertheless.
"And...a bow and arrow?"
That could be arranged.
Nicholas smirked.
But, remember! Lorr cautioned. The miraculous will only give you what you really need. Do not be disappointed with what you receive. For the weight of those who carry a sword above peace is heavy. A fight does not often resolve with the use of fists and violence.
But Nicholas wasn't listening anymore. He carefully took the box in his lap, eyeing the piece of jewelry warily. It didn't look...that bad. It had a more masculine feeling to it with the braided rope chain and the square Egyptian-like pendant. He probably wouldn't get laughed at for sporting it.
None of my chosen have ever been mocked for their miraculous, Lorr huffed, fluffing his feathers indignantly. I wouldn't allow it!
And what would you do about it if they did? Nicholas thought without forming the words. Peck them to death with your beak?
I resent that comment! I'll have you know I am much too dignified to stoop to such barbaric tactics!
Nicholas started, head shooting up to stare at the bird, miraculous halfway lifted from the box. "Can you...read my mind?" he asked in a hoarse whisper, feeling very violated.
When it suits me.
"Oookkkaaayy," Nicholas exclaimed, hastily dropping the pendant back into its case and retracting his hand as if he'd been burned. "I think it's time for you to go back into your jack-in-the-box because I don't think I want to play this game anymore! No, mind-reading pigeons is too weird for me."
I am a hippogriff! Lorr squawked indignantly. I am not a filthy pigeon, you ungrateful-
"What?" Nicholas laughed hysterically. "'Ungrateful' what? What are you going to say to me, man? I didn't ask for this! I don't want you here! I don't even like birds! Why don't you go find someone who actually wants to be a...a superhero? Go bother them or something!" He slammed the box shut, ignoring the protestant screams from the bird. "And take your eye-scorching jewelry with you!" He scooped up the box and aimed it directly at Lorr.
I will not! Lorr argued, ducking under the box before spinning off to retrieve it. You need my help! Because, whether or not you like it, the world is in danger and you need me to help save it!
"Well, I hate to break it to you, pigeon-man, but I don't really give a darn about the world," Nicholas snapped back, pulling his cap lower over his eyes. "I certainly don't want to risk my neck to try and change it."
You may be able to lie to your family, your brother, even to yourself, but I know that isn't true. Lorr reappeared, dragging the box to a new home on top of the dresser. Or you wouldn't have risked your life in the way you did today to help a complete stranger.
"That's...that's...that's beside the point!" Nicholas spluttered. "What was I supposed to do, just let her die?"
And you say you have no heart.
Nicholas scowled. "I don't want to be a hero. I can't be a hero. Heroes save people. They hide their identities and pretend to be who they're not. And that's not me."
Why not? You were very heroic today. Otherwise, I would never have found you.
"Yeah." Nicholas narrowed his eyes. "How did you find me anyway?"
When someone has the kind of courage that you do, it is quite difficult to keep it under wraps.
"The dragon-man brought you here, didn't he? That's how you knew where to find me."
I know not of this dragon-man you speak of, Lorr chittered. However, that does fit the classification for one of Trekk's chosen. It is possible that it was he who brought me here to you.
Trekk. Now Nicholas understood and all of his previous confusion of code names and earpieces suddenly made perfect sense. The hero had a miraculous. And a kwami. Trekk. He had definitely been the one to bring Lorr here.
But why?
Why gift something this incredible-albeit strange-to a kid that he knew nothing about? How would he know that Nicholas wouldn't just turn him in to the armed forces or the mayor or someone just as powerful to lock him up in Area 51? (Did France have an Area 51? He didn't even know).
Because he knows you have what it takes, just as I do!
Nicholas groaned, rolling his eyes and running his hands through his unruly hair. "So, what happens now?" he demanded. "If I take you up on your offer and agree to become a superhero, what then? Do you whisk me off to some magical kingdom in need of saving to rescue princesses with incredibly long hair who, for the record, are more than capable of rescuing themselves?"
There doesn't have to be princesses! Lorr exclaimed. Princesses don't make you a hero, Nicholas! You decided to save a life. That makes you a hero.
"I still don't know about this..."
Try it on! Just for a moment! If you aren't comfortable with it after that, then we can discuss ulterior actions. Fair enough? Lorr drifted to hover above the box hopefully, already attempting to pry open the lid on his own.
Nicholas groaned, letting out his breath and moving over to stand beside the hippogriff. "And you're sure about this?" he asked, taking the box from him and opening it slowly. "One minute and then I can take it off and never put it on again?"
If it comes to that, then yes, I promise upon solemn oath and the Miraclebox, if you do not like being a superhero, after one whole minute, I will allow you to revoke me and the title of a hero and everything that stands for truth and justice and honor and duty.
Even in his thoughts, Nicholas could hear the dripping sarcasm, but he brushed it aside as he carefully unraveled the necklace and draped it over his neck. It landed with a perfect thump against his chest and he drew in a sharp breath, ready to be instantly consumed with fire or magic or whatever it was Lorr did.
Nothing happened.
Lorr trilled happily, spinning through the air toward him, coming to a halt just feet from the confused boy.
Great! Now that you're wearing the miraculous, there's one more thing I need for you to do! Say, "Lorr, Wings Unfurl!"
Nicholas frowned. "What is that, some kind of catchphrase?"
Just say it. Trust me.
Trust me, he says. Trust me, the little magical being that shouldn't even exist. Nicholas scoffed. "Whatever you say, man. You're the boss here, I guess. Lorr, Wings Unfurl!"
Here we go!
There was a blinding flash of light. Lorr cooed happily as he suddenly vanished into a whoosh of golden light, diving forward into the pendant. Nicholas screamed, stumbling backward and nearly losing his balance as a cascade of power crashed over him. Charged electricity pulsed through his muscles and he felt himself moving to try and compensate the sudden jolts of heat. Hot liquid rushed along his arms, magically forming out of nothing and running from his shoulders down to his fingertips and around the palms of his hands. It was glowing golden and it felt like warm wax creeping down his appendages. Moments later, the "wax" mimicked its own actions, spreading from his arms to his torso and down over his shoes. Everything it touched was immediately encased in gold. Thick boots replaced tattered sneakers and gloves formed over trembling hands. The light then circled back for his head. The pendant still pulsing, an archer-like vest appeared around it, encompassing his chest and then crawling upwards to form something on his shoulders. His hands moved without him telling them to, wiping a strand of loose hair from his brow. He closed his eyes as the heat washed over his face and he felt something solid form around his vision.
The electricity began to fade now and Nicholas cautiously reached for whatever was on his back, feeling loose fabric sewn in just a way to-
It was a hood.
Carefully, he drew it over his hat just as the last of the magic left his body and the glow trickled once more into his pendant. The tension escaped his body and he gasped, stumbling to catch himself against the mattress. He almost cried out, but quickly bit his tongue, knowing that would alert his parents and then they would come running and this was not how he wanted them to see him.
"Lorr?" he croaked, his voice shaky as he raised his hands to investigate the spandex gloves that had taken their place. "What...just happened?"
You've transformed! Telepathed the bird from somewhere deep inside Nicholas's subconscious. Or maybe it was all Nicholas and he was just imagining the bird's voice. You've done it! You're a real hero now, Nicholas! And quite an attractive choice of attire, if I do say so myself!
"Really?" Nicholas breathed. "You think so?" The hood, the gloves, the boots; what was he supposed to be, some kind of Ranger's Apprentice?
Robin Hood, came a secondary voice from the back of his mind. Even if he wasn't planning on stealing anything from anyone, the concept was tempting.
You humans really do love your fairytales, don't you?
"Yeah...I guess we do."
Well, no time for peddling around! Are you ready to go meet the man who made all of this possible?
"Wait...you mean right now?" Nicholas panicked, running to a mirror and looking himself over. He did look a bit like an assassin, in his opinion. A dark hood, thick boots, long pants, a ninja-gi top, and the pendant sparkling ominously against his chest. "I...I don't know if I can..."
You can, Lorr assured him. You've put the miraculous on. We are bonded now. Besides, you still have forty more seconds to go and a deal is a deal.
"Ugh...fine." Nicholas rolled his eyes. "You're right. A deal is a deal. How do you plan to get of the room unseen now, Mr. Smarty-feathers?"
Simple. The window.
"The...the window?" Nicholas squeaked, turning pale. "You...you want me to...climb out the window?"
Unless you have a better idea. I assume you don't want your family to see you.
"You...assume right."
Then, yes, the window.
"Ugh. I'm regretting this already."
Nicholas sighed, standing up and tucking the box into his pocket as he moved to the window and carefully slid it open again, the cold wind whipping against his hood and sending chills down his spine.
The footsteps started up the stairs once again. "Nicholas?" came his father's voice. "Is everything all right in there?"
Go! Lorr urged and Nicholas felt the invisible push. Quickly, he vaulted the sill and landed unevenly on the fire escape. Move! Hurry!
"I'm going, I'm going!" Nicholas hissed, swinging himself over the railing and onto the next flight below just as the voice of his father entered his room, calling his name. He paused briefly, wondering if he should go back up and confess everything, but a stern reprimanding shove from Lorr kept him descending to the pavement.
"I should go back, Lorr," he muttered. "I can't...can't lie to my family. If I'm going to be this...this superhero, then the least I can do is tell them the truth!"
And do what? Lorr demanded. You're a smart boy, Nicholas. If you tell your family about me, what will happen when someone figures out that they know? You'll be putting them in harm's way every time you go out to save the world. Isn't it safer for them not to know?
He was right. Again. It was already irritating.
"Fine. Why don't I let you take the lead on this and I'll just sit back and observe from the sidelines?"
Very well. Turn left here.
Nicholas obeyed, turning down a side alley, pulling his hood further over his eyes. Shadows fell over him as he shuffled further into the sidestreet and into the next block. "Okay, Lorr, where am I going?"
Not much farther, Master. Take a right here and look up.
Look...up?
Rounding the bend, Nicholas grunted another inaudible response.
There was a blur of color from the rooftops above him and he froze in the middle of the sidewalk, illuminated by the occasional headlights of passing vehicles as his gaze w
drifted toward the sky. Bright eyes gazed back at him from the skylights and the deep rumble of a voice echoed through the streets.
"Gold looks good on you, Mr. Lahiffe. Why don't you come up and say hello? We have a lot to discuss."
